USD sends call for actors, actresses
05/26/2007
Calling all actors, actresses and theater groups.
Upper Schuylkill Downtowns wants you.
The northern Schuylkill County umbrella revitalization
organization for six boroughs is planning for its regional Upper Schuylkill
Homecoming Labor Day Weekend 2007 celebration, which will include
a re-enactment of the return home of the "Ashland boys."
The weekend, according to USD's Jean Seibert, is centered
on the historic Ashland Boys Association/Mummers Parade scheduled
to start this year at 7 p.m. Sept. 1. Now in its 104th year, the parade
was founded by local boys and men who brought hundreds of Ashland
boys "back home" for the special event in 1903, initiating
a tradition that continues today. Making the event even more special
this year is the fact Ashland is marking its 150th anniversary year.
For the re-enactment, USD is seeking up to 30 men to
portray the original Ashland boys and up to 20 women to portray the
mothers and sisters who greeted them upon their arrival from the Philadelphia
area via train.
According to Seibert, the actors and actresses will
lead this year's parade carrying torches to find their way home "in
this old coal mining town."
"The boys were all ages," Seibert said, "and
had to leave their beloved community to find work because of busted
coal mines."
Costumes, she said, will be turn-of-the-century suits
and hats and dresses of the ear for women.
Those interested in participating in the re-enactment
should mail resumes with contact information to Seibert at Upper Schuylkill
Downtowns, 1 W. Centre St., P.O. Box 255, Mahanoy City, PA 17948.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
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